Vin Diesel to Play Groot in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ [video]

Vin Diesel, famous for the Riddick films and who appeared in four of the six Fast & Furious movies, is set to play the voice-over part of a giant tree character, Groot in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy space adventure movie. A video of Diesel getting into his role is included.

Most people remember Diesel as a convict who turns into a sort of a hero with amazing strengths in the series of Riddick movies. In fact he topped the US box office recently in the latest film Riddick. Having also featured in four out of the six Fast & Furious films, Diesel is well known indeed.

The studio announced the news of his voice-over part of Groot shortly after Diesel himself posted a photo on his Facebook page.

Of his part in the Guardians of the Galaxy, he was overheard to say that his father told him that there are no small roles, only small actors, as he gets into the part of a seven-and-a-half foot tree in the video below. He joked that he has “one line in the movie.” He said that doesn’t mean anything, he is still going to make it “the best he possibly can.”

Vin Diesel posted the video back in October. It shows him entertaining friends while walking around on stilts and reportedly “continuing his apparently fearless disregard for Marvel Studios’ famed secrecy,” as he pretty much gave away the secret he was about to play Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy.

According to Marvel, he will be “lending his booming voice” to the part of Groot.

Guardians of the Galaxy will offer a universe of stars playing the characters of Drax, Groot, Gamora, Peter Quill and Rocket Raccoon, who will be joining forces in order to defeat a “cosmic force of epic proportions”, according to the Marvel website, which displays a photo of Diesel hugging his onscreen character, Groot.

Vin Diesel is set to play the voice-over part of Groot in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy.

Stars joining in the fun include Bradley Cooper playing the part of Rocket Raccoon and Zoe Saldana in the role of Gamora, also featuring great stars including Glenn Close, John C. Reilly and Benicio del Toro. Chris Pratt will be playing the part of Star Lord.

While rumors have been flying around the social media for some time, it is now absolutely and completely official, according to director James Gunn. He commented on Facebook:

“Yep it is completely official. AND he’s amazing. I never knew someone could say I AM GROOT so many different ways and with such feeling (and that sounds like I’m kidding but I’m not!).”

Due to hit the big screen in August 1, 2014, it sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

In other movie news, Vin Diesel will also be reprising his role in the upcoming Fast & Furious 7 movie, due for release on April 10th, 2015. Having played four out of six of the movie series, Diesel will be both producing and starring in the film.

It has been up and down as to whether Fast & Furious 7 would even be released, given the fate of the film series’ star, Paul Walker. When the news first broke, it was suggested that Universal Studios would continue with the film. Then shortly after that the studio said they would be shutting down the production to “assess all options available.” However, a week later, it was all back on again with work continuing in January 2014 with a rewritten script. Reportedly the movie is set to give Walker an “honorable” send-off.

So we have two films to look forward to as Vin Diesel gets to play the voice of Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, but also as he does a reprise of his role in the upcoming Fast & Furious 7 in 2015.